Theologian: Fanar contradicts itself saying there is no schism in Orthodoxy

The head of Phanar and Epiphany Dumenko. Photo: day.kyiv.ua

The priest, theologian, publicist and head of the center for patristic publications in Athens, Protopresbyter John K. Diotis, believes that Patriarch Bartholomew contradicts himself when he claims there is no schism in World Orthodoxy because of the OCU.

Protopresbyter John analyzed the words of Patriarch Bartholomew, spoken by him on March 6, 2021, to the representatives of the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul: “The unity of Orthodoxy is by no means exposed to trial because of the response of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the request of the Ukrainian Orthodox. The Tomos of autocephaly was an act of responsibility of the Mother Church...”

“Ecumenical Patriarch Fr. Bartholomew, claiming that the alleged pseudo-autocephaly of his pseudo-church in no way affected church unity, stubbornly contradicts himself," assures Fr. John.

He recalled that in the same speech to the Ukrainian deputies in Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew said that the schismatic church situation in Ukraine "has inflicted a deep wound on the communion of the entire Orthodox Church."

Protopresbyter John believes that these words of the Patriarch should be interpreted as “recognition that the Ukrainian issue is still a deep wound for the entire Orthodox Church."

In his opinion, “this painful situation was not only not corrected by the actions of Pat. Bartholomew, but, having greatly deteriorated (this is a proven fact), remained invariably thorny."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Greek media provided evidence of a split in Orthodoxy due to the OCU.

Read also

DESS: The number of communities joining OCU in 2024 is half of last year’s

Over a year, 232 communities of the UOC changed their jurisdiction.

Scale of internal damage to UOC cathedral in Zaporizhzhia shown online

The video allows viewers to assess the damage endured by the main Orthodox church of the UOC in Zaporizhzhia.

Ex-MP UOC protodeacon Novinsky declared suspicion of high treason

The former MP is accused of "ensuring that a significant part of Ukrainian society, who are believers of the UOC, remain under the direct influence of the leader of the ROC".

St Andrew’s icon survives under the rubble of UOC cathedral in Zaporizhzhia

The icon was painted by nuns of the St Nicholas Monastery in Patras (Greece) and consecrated on the relics of St Andrew the Apostle.

RF missile strike destroys St Andrew's Cathedral of UOC in Zaporizhzhia

The fragments damaged the roof of the building, dome, ceilings, cut windows and disfigured classrooms.

Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray

After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.